Taxonomy Practice

Use the table to determine the scientific name of a rattlesnake written in the correct scientific format.

• Crotalus Viridis

• Crotalus Viridis

• Crotalus viridis

• Crotalus viridis

• Viperidae viridis

Answer explanation

The correct scientific name format includes italicization and proper capitalization. Crotalus viridis is correctly formatted, with the genus capitalized and the species in lowercase, both italicized.

Organisms in the same Order are more similar than organisms in the same Species

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Organisms in the same Species are more similar to each other than those in the same Order. Species is a more specific classification than Order, making the statement false.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which of these big cats are most closely related to each other?
A. Lions (Panthera leo)
B. Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus)
C. Snow leopards (Panthera uncia)
D. Puma (Puma concolor)

• Lions and Cheetahs 

• Snow leopards and Pumas

• Lions and Snow leopards

• Cheetahs and Pumas

Answer explanation

Lions and snow leopards are both part of the Panthera genus, making them more closely related than the other options. Cheetahs belong to a different genus (Acinonyx), and pumas are in a separate genus (Puma).

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which of the following is NOT one of the six kingdoms?

• Animal

• Human

• Plant

• Fungus

Answer explanation

The six kingdoms of life are Animal, Plant, Fungus, Protista, Archaea, and Bacteria. 'Human' is not a separate kingdom but rather a species within the Animal kingdom.

In which part of the taxonomic classification triangle are organisms most diverse?

• Kingdom

• Phylum

• Genus

• Species

Answer explanation

Organisms are most diverse at the Kingdom level because it encompasses the broadest range of life forms, including multiple phyla, classes, and orders, leading to greater overall diversity compared to more specific categories like Genus or Species.

In which part of the taxonomic classification triangle are organisms most similar?

• Kingdom

• Phylum

• Genus

• Species

Answer explanation

Organisms are most similar at the species level, as species represent a group of individuals that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring, sharing the most specific traits compared to higher taxonomic ranks.

Which of these bears are most closely related to each other?

Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus)

Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus)

Brown Bear (Ursus arctos)

• Polar Bear and Panda

• Spectacled Bear and Brown Bear

• Brown Bear and Polar Bear

• Polar Bear and Spectacled Bear

Answer explanation

The Brown Bear and Polar Bear are closely related as they both belong to the genus Ursus. They share a more recent common ancestor compared to the other bears listed, making them the correct choice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Organisms of the same family are more similar than organisms of the same phylum.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

True. Organisms within the same family share more specific characteristics and genetic similarities than those in the same phylum, which encompasses a broader range of organisms.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

heterotrophs that obtain energy by consuming dead organic matter, can be unicellular or multicellular

• fungi

• protists

• animals

• plants

Answer explanation

Fungi are heterotrophs that decompose dead organic matter, making them essential for nutrient cycling. They can be unicellular (like yeast) or multicellular (like mushrooms), distinguishing them from animals, plants, and protists.

cells that do have a nucleus

• prokaryotic

• eukaryotic

• unicellular

• bacteria

Answer explanation

Eukaryotic cells are characterized by having a nucleus, which contains their genetic material. In contrast, prokaryotic cells, such as bacteria, do not have a nucleus.